Conference of Catholic Bishops of India News Volume No. XXX, 3 July - Sep. 2019

Training of Youth Animators for Biblical Pastoral Ministry
A Training of Youth Animators for Biblical Pastoral Ministry was held at NBCLC Bangalore from 27-29 March 2019. The theme was "Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus". The CCBI Commission for Bible organized it in collaboration with the CCBI Commission for Youth. One bishop, good number of resource persons and nearly 60 participants (priests, religious sisters, lay men and women, and Youth Animators) benefited from this training.

The programme commenced with an inaugural session at 8:45am, with the enthronement of the Bible, Proclamation of the word of God, followed by the lighting of the lamp. Rev. Fr. A. John Baptist, the Executive Secretary, CCBI Commission for Bible, welcomed the gathering with his dynamic words. Thereafter Rev. Fr. Stephen Alathara, the Deputy Secretary General of the CCBI, felicitated the gathering. Rev. Fr. Legrand, MEP, professor emeritus at St. Peter's Pontifical Institute, gave the presidential address, which was followed by the key note address by Most Rev. Dr. Antonysamy Peter Abir, Chairman, CCBI Commission for Bible where he emphasized on how to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

There were many papers presented on various themes such as Nurturing Vocation - Jeremiah, Joseph of the Old Testament: A story of God's providence and his promises, Persevering amidst Crisis: Daniel, Mary Magdalene - Then and Now: The Meaning of Perseverance in Commitment, The Indian Youth Scenario and their Expectation, God is Young, Accompanying the Youth like Jesus, Helping Youth to understand Social Media: From Online Community to Co-present Community, Accompanying the Youth with Personal Holiness/ Witnessing Life, The Accompaniment of the Indian Church- A Synodal Perspective, Bible Study and Bible Prayer Methods. The resource persons include Rev. Fr. James Theophilus SDB, Rev. Fr. Assisi Saldanha CSsR, Rev. Fr. David Stanley Kumar, Rev. Sr. Virginia Rajakumari SAB, Rev. Fr. Divya Paul, Most Rev. Dr. Nazarene (Bishop of Kottar, Chairman, CCBI Commission for Youth), Rev. Fr. Francis Xavier, Rev. Fr. Plavendran SSP, Rev. Fr. Sagaya John, Mr. Percival Holt, (President, National Youth Movement) and Rev. Fr. Mario Mendes. Taize Prayer was also conducted on the first day and panel discussion on the second day. A book "O Youth, You are Precious" edited by Rev. Fr. Stanley Kumar and Rev. Fr. A. John Baptist was released by Rev. Fr. Sagaya John, the Director of NBCLC. The participants were also introduced to Lectio Divina. After dinner on the second day, a cultural program performed by different groups was organised wherein different groups took active part and performed.

On the third day there were group discussions, reporting and Brain Storming Sessions. At 3:30pm, the participants evaluated the entire programme. Many appreciated the programme, the co-coordinators, and gave their valuable suggestions for further improvement. Rev. Fr. Chetan proposed the vote of thanks. The programme came to an end with a prayer by Rev. Fr. Nithin, one of the participants. After tea all left the centre for their respective places.

CBF (Catholic Biblical Federation) International Bible Congress
To commemorate fifty years of the foundation of CBF (Catholic Biblical Federation), an international Biblical Congress was organized at Rome from 23rd to 26th April 2019. The theme of the Congress was The Bible and Life: Biblical Inspiration of the Entire Pastoral Life and Mission of the Church (VD 73), Experiences and Challenges. Fr. A. John Baptist, the Executive Secretary of the CCBI Commission for Bible participated in it representing the CCBI which is now a full member of the federation. There were many papers presented by eminent scholars such as Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (President of CBF), Cardinal Kurt Koch, Fr. Jan J. Stefanowsvd, Prof. Elsa Tamez etc., There were two workshops. One was according to the themes such as Bible and Family, Bible and Catechesis, Bible and New Technologies etc., another according to regions such as Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas etc., Fr. A. John Baptist presented a brief report on the Biblical Pastoral Ministry in India in one of the workshops. During this Congress he was also asked to be the Co-Ordinator of the South Asia sub-region.

On the last day of the Congress, the members participated in the Holy Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, Rome and had a guided tour of the basilica. At around 12 noon the participants had an audience with the Holy Father. He addressed the members of the Catholic Biblical Federation on the theme, "The word of God is living" (Heb 4:12). He said that the word is a unique injection of Life. He spoke extensively about preaching the word of God. Finally he exhorted the participants saying, "Let us pray and work so that the Bible will not remain in the library alongside any number of books that talk about it, but may run through the streets of the world and pitch its tent where people are living."(Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to members of the Catholic Biblical Federation, 26 April 2019). After his address the participants had a great privilege of greeting the Holy Father individually. At the concluding session, the president of CBF, Cardinal Tagle encouraged the participants to continue their Biblical Pastoral Ministry. The participants thereafter dispersed to their respective countries to carry out their Biblical Pastoral Ministry. Participating in the Congress was an enriching experience.

III. Consultation Meeting
The meeting of the Consultative Body of the CCBI Commission for Bible was held on the 8th of May, 2019 at the NBCLC, Bangalore. Ten members participated. They were Most Rev. Peter Abir, Chairman, Fr. A. John Baptist, the Executive Secretary, Fr. Francis Xavier, Regional Secretary, Karnataka, Fr. James Theophilus, SDB, Fr. Assisi Saldanha, CSsR, Sr. Mary Gracelet, pddm, Sr. PremaVakayil, csst, Mr. Nigel Fernandes, Mr. Peter Anil Rego, Mr. Michael Noronha.

The meeting began at 10.30 AM with a brief scripture reading and prayer by Rev. Fr. James Theophilus, sdb. Then the Chairman, Most Rev. Antonysamy Peter Abir, spoke about Most Rev. Simon Kaipuram, CM who recently passed away. He was the member bishop of the Bible Commission. He also recalled about his association with him and he said that he was a silent and gentle bishop. The members then paid homage by observing silence and praying for the repose of the soul of Bishop Simon Kaipuram, CM. Then the Chairman welcomed the participants for the meeting which he was attending for the first time as the chairman of the commission. The report of the previous meeting was read out and passed. The issues arising from the report were also discussed.

Rev. Fr. Assisi Saldanha CSsR introduced the new chairman of the Commission as a well learned man and as one who was serving in the Biblical Pastoral Ministry in Tamilnadu and Kerala for long time. He welcomed the bishop and wished him all the success as the chairman at the national level. Then Mr. Anil welcomed the bishop with a bouquet of flowers.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission briefed the participants of the recent important events of the Commission. This included the National Consultation cum Seminar held at Seva Kendra, Calcutta, in November, 2018; the election of the new Chairman and member bishops; the Ecumenical Program conducted at NBCLC during the Ecumenical Week (25-27 January, 2019) jointly by the CCBI Commission for Bible, NBCLC and the BSI (Church Relations) on the theme, "Life Transformation through Biblical Values"; a Meeting of the Executive Secretary with the Chairman and the regional and diocesan secretaries of the Agra region on 25thFebruary, 2019; Training of Youth Animators for Biblical Pastoral Ministry (27-29, March, 2019); the International Bible Congress in Rome in view of 50 year of the CBF (23-26 April, 2019); South Asian sub-region meeting in Rome.

The Executive Secretary also informed the members of the forth coming programs related to the Commission: A Regional seminar in Western Region to be held sometime in July, 2019; Research seminar on the Interpretation of the Bible in India; Consultation with the Regional Chairmen and Secretaries of Bible Commissions, planned at NBCLC, Bengaluru, on the morning of 27th September 2019.

The Executive Secretary proposed to compile a book on the papers presented at the National Consultation cum Seminar held at Calcutta, November, 2018. There was a discussion about forming and conducting some training program at the diocesan level for the interested laity. There was also a proposal to come out with a manual for the teachers of Bible and people involved in the Biblical Pastoral Ministry. The Executive secretary said that he would look into the possibilities. The meeting came to an end at 1.15 PM with a prayer and a thanksgiving song by Sr. Mary Gracelet. The members dispersed after a group photo and lunch.

IV. Regional Meetings: The Executive Secretary made a visit to the M. P Region. He met the Regional secretary of the region Rev. Fr. Joy G. Panjikaran MST at Ujjain on 16th March 2019 and the chairman of the M.P Regional Bible Commission Most Rev. ChakoThottumarickal SVD (Bishop of Indore) at Indore on 22nd March, 2019 and discussed with them about strengthening the Commission in the region and about some regional programs.

V. Appointment of the New Member Bishop: Due to the sudden demise of Most Rev. Simon Kaipuram, CM a member bishop of the Commission on 22nd April 2019, Most Rev. John Rodrigues, the Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay is appointed as the member bishop of CCBI Commission for Bible. We welcome him whole heartedly.

VI. Forth Coming Events:
There is going to be a meeting of Regional Chairmen, Regional Secretaries and the Consultative Body Members of the Bible Commission on 27th September 2019 at NBCLC, Bengaluru.

CCBI Commission for Bible in collaboration with NBCLC, CBAI and TPI is organizing a National Research Seminar on the theme, Interpretation of Bible in India. This is to mark the completion of twenty-five years of the release of the Document, "Interpretation of the Bible in the Church" (1993). This is to be held at NBCLC from 27thevening to 29th September, 2019. All those who are interested and involved in Biblical study and ministry are invited. Kindly contact the Executive Secretary for registration details.

Fr. A. John Baptist
Executive Secretary
CCBI Commission for Bible

Commission For Bible Biennial Report January 2017 - 19